bauer



Feb. 3, 1931. A. w. BAUER APPARATUS FOR RECORDING BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS Filed June 17, 1927 s Sheets-Sheet 1 QZZerZ Mfiazzer Feb. 3, 1931. A. w. BAUER APPARATUS FOR RECORDING BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS Filed June 17, 1927 s sheets-sheet 2 Feb. 3, 1931. A. w. BAUER 1,790,788

APPARATUS FOR RECORDING BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS Filed Juhe 1'7, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Hlcveo IN" 53 se anus 21. 15 m5 10am DOE Patented Feb. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALBERT W. BAUER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 SPEEDAUMAT MANUFACTUR- ING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE APPARATUS FOR RECORDING BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS Application filed June 17,

This invention relates to devices for recording business transactions (such as retail sales) and aims to provide improved apparatus for facilitating and increasing the accuracy of the recording of such transactions.

The invention may be readily understood by reference to one exemplification thereof as applied to retail merchandising and the recording of retail sales transactions. The

illustrative apparatus employed for suchsupplying device together with associated operating parts.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the printing head and ink supplying device in the relationshown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse section, taken approximately on the plane 55 of Fig. 2, of the printing head, ink supplying device and record sheets, when these elements are associated in impression position.

Fig; 6 is a bottom plan view of the printing head carrying a printing plate.

The illustrative apparatus operates to present successive duplicate or triplicate sales records properly assembled (and associated with intervening carbon sheets for the duplicate or triplicate sheets, as the case may be) in recording position where they receive a record of the items of merchandise and a record in an invariably legible form, of certain data specific'to the customer, such as, for example, the customers name, address, credit rating, et cetera.- The cooperating elements for securing this result comprise in this instance a plate or token of a size and shape convenient to be carried by the cus tomer and bearing in legibly embossed char- 1927. Serial-No. 199,481.

when duplicate or triplicate records are desired) successively in recording position.

The customer-carried token or imprinting element is represented by a plate 10 of metal sutficiently ductile and malleable that it may be embossed (and re-embossed if need be to correct errors or to make changes) to provide in relief, clear and sharp printing characters 11, that is characters which will print clearly and sharply. The obverse or intaglio side exhibits the characters in normal order so that the data on the plate may easily be read if desired. The long sides of the plate or token carry reinforcements in the form of longitudinal ribs 12 and marginal finishing beads 13,the latter serve also to'provide the plate with smooth rounded edges. The side edges of the plate being smooth, round and free from sharp edge-s or corners, minimize wear upon the purse or clothing of the \customer, thereby avoiding any reluctance on the part of the customer to develop the habit of carrying the plate continuously and regularly using it in the making of purchases. The marginal reinforcement of the plate prevents bending of the relatively soft metal in repeated handling and preserves it in the flat condition desirable for use as a printing element. The record sheet supplying means is herein represented by an autographic register 14: (of usual construction) which supplies the record sheets from a continuous strip 15 (in this case in the form of a roll carried within the body of the machine) issuing from the end of the machine where it may be detached after the record has been made. In the present machine the record strip extends longitudinally of the machine and is carried over a platen 16 which supports the strip where the record is entered thereon. Devices of this character are adapted to operate with a plurality of strip rolls for making duplicate and triplicate copies.

In such case one or p ward travel of the plunger under the presform is usually a'space 18 (with appropriate legends) for the name, address, residence, et cetera, of the customer. Covering the top of the machine is a table 19 advantageously sup ported at an inclination convenient forwriting and having an opening 20 located over the platen surface 16 and of a size to expose a single record blank or form. The record strip (or strips) is advantageously advanced mechanically, in this case, by means of a crank 21. After the completion of a transac-' tion the crank is turned to advance the strip to discharge the record and to bring a fresh blank into proper registry with the opening 20. For convenience the strip may bear a series of marks by means of which the blank may be accurately registered with the opening. Carbon sheets for use in making duplicate or triplicate copies are in this instance fed from a roll 22 transversely of the record sheets and registering with the record sheet at the opening 20. In the present case only a single copy is made and a single carbon sheet is employed. If additional carbon sheets are necessary, they may be rolled together in one roll which is carried within the housing 23 at the side of the machine. The carbon sheet {or sheets project slightly at 24 on the opposite side of the machine and may thereby be slightly advanced from time to time to present fresh carb n surfaces. The portion of the used carb n sheet or sheets projecting from the machine may be torn off from time to time. -A,friction drag plate 25 presses on the carbon roll to supply the necessary tension to keep the carbon sheet smooth. The device for imprinting the token or printing plate upon the sales record is represented by a releasable token holder 26 movably supported on an arm 27 hinged at 28 to bracket 29. Bracket 29 is advantageously mounted on the side of the device 14 at 30in such position as will register .the token holder properly with the space 18 ofitheblank when the latter is registered with opening 20. The arm 27 is normally yieldinglyheld in an appropriately elevatedposition above therecord blank and table 19 by a plunger 31 resiliently elevated by spring 32 inside the plunger housing 33. The upthe holder.

sure of the spring is limited by a cross pin 34 engaging the under surface of the bracket arm. The pressure of plunger 31 while suiticient to elevate arm 27 and its impression head offers no considerable resistance when the arm is operated to imprint the token on the record. The arm 27 may, if desired, be completely inverted by swinging it around its pivot 28 in which position it is held by engagement with the upright portion 35 of the y bracket.

The token holder 26 comprises a backing cent the grooves 38 and engaging the side edges of the plate. The spring fingers in this case form part of a U-shaped spring member extending across the back of the holder plate and secured at 41 thereto. The holder or impression head 26 is so supported relatively to the surface of the recordsheet that it will bring the printing surface of a token in exact parallelism with the surface of the record at the time of impression.

The upper side of the impression head is advantageously provided with a striking pad 42 of hard rubber or fiber.

The holder 26 is advantageously constructed and arranged to'assist in the insertion of a printing plate .correctly therein. The height of the embossed characters 11 is such that if it were attempted inadvertently to insert the plate in inverted position the contact of the characters with the backing plate 36 would hold the beaded edges 13 sufiiciently far out of the holder to lie beyond the grasp of the ends of the spring fingers 39. In other words, the plate can only be held by the spring fingers in the holder when its intaglio side is-in engagement with the surface of the backing plate of the holder. Further, the holder is arranged to assist in avoiding reversal (end to end) of the token in The latter is provided with a projection or lug 43 whose front edge acts A as a stop and will not allow a token to be pushed entirely into the holder unless the embossed characters occupy a definite position relative to the holder. For example, unless the characters occur in upright position as the token is viewed from its intaglio side by the operator standing in front of the register, the plate cannot be pushed entirely into the holders When in proper position as thus defined, 'the projecting lug 43 enters a'notch 44 at the end of the plate. If the plate be inadvertently reversed, its incorrect position would be observed by the operator because the engagement of the straight edge 45 of the plate with lug 43 would I? tard complete insertion of the plate and leave a portion thereof projecting noticeably from the end of the holder.

The printing plates or tokens are conveniently provided at their other ends with notches corresponding with the notches 44 whereby the plates may be conveniently held in stacks or galleys for storage or in the machines which emboss the printing characters thereon.

The printing medium or ink supplying means is herein represented by a carbon paper strip supported with its inked face down in a frame 47 to register with the printing token in impression position. At other times the carbon sheet or printing medium is advantageously withdrawn to permit the advance of the record strip and the registering of the succeeding blank. For this purpose the frame 47 carrying the printing medium is moved into and out of printing position by operating mechanism in the form of supporting arms .48 pivoted at 49 co-axial with the impression arm pivot. The arms 48 are made of appropriately stiff wire or rods, the ends of which are bent at 50 and enter appropriate openings in the pivot pin 28. Inter} mediate the ends, the arms 48 are operatively connected to plunger 31 by a pin 51 passing through the plunger and having forked ends which embrace the respective arms 48. The arms 48 are also provided with longitudinal grooves 52 extending from their free ends inwardly to provide means for removably holding frame 47 carrying the printing medium. A transverse spreader 48 connects the arms 48 at the inner ends of the grooves 52 and serves to space them correctly with reference to the frame 47. In idle position plunger 31 holds the carbon sheet 46 a substantial distance above the surface of the record sheets. The downward movement of the plunger under the pressure of impression arm 27 carries the carbon sheet into printing position above the sales record. Thus the sales record is always entirely visible save only during the instant when the impression arm is struck to imprint the data on the record, after which the printing medium is withdrawn, in this case simultaneouslywith the printing head.

i The carbon sheet 46 inthis instance is advantageously made in strip form and accumulated in a roll 53 carried in an appropriate housing 54 on frame 47. The frame 47 may conveniently be made of sheet metal with its'central portion struck out to provide the opening 55through which the impression on the record is made. The metal at one extremity of the plate is curved to provide the lower portion ofthe housing 54 and bent' up lugs 56; the latter prevent endwise displacement of the carbon paper roll. In this case the housing surrounds the roll and the .free end 57 thereof-is advantageously made bracket.

resilient so that in cooperation with the frame a frictional grip or drag is exerted on the carbon strip. The opposite end of the carbon paper strip is frictionally held by a resilient plate 58 against a feeding roll 59 the surface of which is knurled or roughened to increase the frictional grip on the paper. The ends of the roll are supported in bear ing lugs 60. As occasion requires the roll 59 may be rotated to shift or advance the carbon paper slightly so that repeated impressions will not occur in identically the same region. The friction exerted by the end 57 of the housing in conjunction with that exerted by the plate 58 serves to maintain the carbon paper sufficiently taut to insure its smoothness.

In the present case the shifting of the carbon paper is made automatic by means of a ratchet wheel 61 mounted on the roll in pocarried by the impression head. Pawl 62 is pivoted at 63 to a bracket 64 mounted on the end of the head. The inner end-of the pawl is connected with spring 65 which holds it normally in engagement with the lower edge of the projecting portion 66 of the Upon depression of the head to impression position, the spring permits the end 67 of the pawl to pass over a tooth on the ratchet, while elevation of the former results in a partial rotation of the ratchet and a slight advance of the carbon strip. The used -part of the strip projecting beyond the roll 59 may be torn off from time to time.

While the installation of the above described apparatus for use in retail merchandising or for recording other transactions does not preclude the making of records upon the record sheets without the use of the individual customer carried tokens, the advantages to the customer flowing from the habitual use of the plate or token, are so great that the customer will inevitably fully' cooperate to effect a general and systematic use of the plates or tokens. point of the customer, for example, the speed with which a transaction is completed and the accuracy with which the record is made, are alonesufficient to secure the necessary cooperation of the customer. A single token is obviously capable of making purchases at a number of establishinents. If desired such establishment may emboss on an individual token, its private symbol for credit or other. purposes.

Obviously the invention is not limited to the details ofthe illustrative apparatus illustrated and described since such details may be variously modified. Moreover, it is not From thestanct Having described one embodiment of my invention, I claim 1. In apparatus for recording business transactions, the combination comprising an -1mpress1on device for making impressions impression device for making impressions upon a record; ink supplying means for said impression device consisting of a movable frame having a housing containing a rolled strip having an inked surface the free end of which strip extends across said frame, and a strip feedin roll at the opposite end of said frame and frictionally engaging said strip end; and means on said impression device for automatically actuating said roll to advance said strip to shift its relation to said impression device.

3. In apparatus for recording business transactions, the combination comprising an impression device for'making impressions upon a record; ink suplying means for said im pression device consisting of a movable frame having a housing containing a rolled strip having an inked surface the free end of which strip extends across said frame, and a strip feeding means engaging said end whereby said strip may be moved from time to time to present a'different portion thereof to the im pression device, said housing having means for frictionally engaging said strip to hold smooth the portion of said strip extending across said frame.

4. In apparatus for recording business transactions, thecombination comprising an impression device for making impressions upona record; ink supplying means for said impression device consisting of a movable frame one end of which is extended into a housing having a resilient portion, a rolled strip having an inked surface in said housing and having its free end issuing therefrom and extending across said frame, said resilient portion engaging said strip and placing a frictional drag thereon, a feeding roll on the other end of said frame for frictionally engaging the end of said strip, and ratchet means actuated by said impression device for periodically turning said friction roll to change the position of said strip relative to said impression device.

5. In apparatus for recording retail sales transactions, the combination comprising a device for presenting sales records successively in position to receive a record of a sales transaction; impression mechanism associated with'said device and having means for releasably holding a printing plate and impressing the same upon the record ;ink supplying means for said impression device consisting of a movable frame one end of which is extended into a housing having a resilient portion, a rolled strip having an inked surface in said housing and having its free end issuing therefrom and extending across said frame, said resilient portion engaging said strip and placing a frictional drag thereon, a feeding roll on the other end of said frame for frictionally engaging the end of said strip,

and ratchet means actuated by-said, impression mechanism; and means for moving said ink suplying means into impression position and withdrawing said ink supplying means after the printing operation.

6. In apparatus for recording retail sales transactions, the combination comprising a device for mechanically presenting sales records successively in position to receive records of sales transactions, impression mechanism associated with said device and having means for releasably holding a printing plate and impressing the same in a predetermined position upon a record in impression position, and means for moving a printing medium into printing-position to supply ink for printing on said record and for separating said medium from said impression head after impression to render the printing surface of said plate visible in said impression device.

7, In apparatus for recording retail sales transactions, the combination comprising a customer carried token having thereon in printing characters data specific to the customer, a device for mechanically presenting a succession of sales records to a recording position, means carried by said device for removably holding said token and movable to imprint said token in a predetermined posi-' tion upon a sales record in recording position, a carbon sheet arranged to lie between the token and the record to supply ink for the imprinting operation, the uninked surface of said strip lying adjacent said token to prevent contact of the latter with ink, and means to permit said holding means to be separated fromsaid carbon sheet for insertion and removal of a token.

8. In apparatus for recording retail sales transactions, the combination comprising a customer carried token having thereon in printing characters data specific to the customer, a printing device having a platen for supporting a sales record in printing position, means for mechanically presenting a succession of sales record sheets in recording position on said platen, means carried by said device for removably holding said token and movable to imprint said token in a prede termined position upon a sales record on said platen, an elongated carbon strip having a portion thereof arranged to lie bptween the token and the record to supply ml: for the imprinting operation, the uninked surface of said strip lying adjacent said token to pre vent contact of the latter with ink, and means whereby the operative portion of said strip may be changed from time to time.

9. In apparatus for recording retail sales transactions, the combination comprising a device for mechanically presenting sales records successively in position to receive records of sales transactions, a stationary platen across which said records travel, impression mechanism associated with said device and having means for releasably holding a printing plate and impressing the same in a predetermined position upon a record in impression position on said platen, means for permitting said holding means to be partially inverted for the insertion and removal of a printing plate, and means for automatically suppyling ink or the like to serve in printing upon said record, said means being constructed and arranged to prevent direct contact of said plate with said ink.

10. In apparatus for recording retail sales transactions, the combination comprising a customer carried token having thereon in a printing characters data specific to the customer, a device for mechanically presenting successive record sheets to a recording position, a platen in recording position across which said sheets travel, impression mechanism having means for releasably holding a token and associated with said device for impressing said token upon a record sheet and constructed and arranged to register the token with a record sheet in recording position, and means for mounting said impression mechanism so that it may be given substantial momentum to cause said token to strike with percussive force against said platen to record an impression on a record sheet.

11. In apparatus for recording business transactions upon record sheets, the combination comprising a device for mechanically presenting asnccession of record sheets to a recording position, a platen surface across which said sheets travel, an impression device associated with said platen and having a head for receiving a printing plate carrying data to be recorded upon said record, means for supporting said head whereby it may be moved to impress the plate in a predetermined place upon the record positioned on said platen, and means independent of said head for supplying a printing medium for the printing plate.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification. A

ALBERT W. BAUER. 

